Accessory attachment bar and method for securing same to helmet

ABSTRACT

An accessory bar for an associated helmet includes a helmet face of the accessory bar contoured to mate with the associated helmet. An accessory attachment mechanism is secured to a surface of the helmet face of the accessory bar. The accessory attachment mechanism is capable of matingly attaching to the associated helmet. A first recess is defined in the helmet face of the accessory bar. The first recess is sized for accommodating the accessory attachment mechanism.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to helmets used in both ballistic and non-ballistic environments. It finds particular application in conjunction with attaching accessories to the helmet and will be described with particular reference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amenable to other applications.

Accessories are attached to helmets for various reasons. For example, a light source (e.g., a flashlight) attached to a helmet is easily accessible. Furthermore, a light source attached to a helmet may provide for hands-free use as the light remains aimed at whichever direction the helmet is facing, even as a person wearing the helmet moves his/her head left, right, up, and down.

Various methods of attaching accessories to a helmet are used.

The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus and method which addresses the above-referenced problems.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, it is contemplated that an accessory bar for an associated helmet includes a helmet face of the accessory bar contoured to mate with the associated helmet. An accessory attachment mechanism is secured to a surface of the helmet face of the accessory bar. The accessory attachment mechanism is capable of matingly attaching to the associated helmet. A first recess is defined in the helmet face of the accessory bar. The first recess is sized for accommodating the accessory attachment mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to exemplify the embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary accessory bar for a helmet in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a back face of the accessory bar illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a first part of an accessory attachment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a second part of the accessory attachment mechanism of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a first part of an accessory attachment mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of an accessory attachment mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary accessory bar for a helmet in accordance with another embodiment of an apparatus illustrating principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an exemplary methodology of the system shown in FIGS. 1-7 for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet in accordance with one embodiment illustrating principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a simplified component diagram of an exemplary accessory bar 10 for a helmet 12 is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The accessory bar 10 includes an exterior face 14 and an interior face 16. The helmet 12 includes an exterior surface 20. During use, the interior face 16 of the accessory bar 10 is designed to face the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12. Therefore, the interior face 16 of the accessory bar 10 is also referred to as the helmet face of the accessory bar 10.

In one embodiment, the helmet face 16 (see FIG. 2) of the accessory bar 10 includes a recess 22. The recess 22 is defined proximate to a perimeter 24 of the interior face 16 (e.g., the helmet face) of the accessory bar 10.

The helmet face 16 (see FIG. 2) of the accessory bar 10 is contoured to mate with the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the helmet face 16 (see FIG. 2) of the accessory bar 10 is substantially flush with the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12.

In one embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an accessory attachment mechanism 26 is secured to the interior (helmet) surface 16 of the accessory bar 10. In this embodiment, the accessory attachment mechanism 26 includes two pieces 30, 32 (e.g., two parts). For example, the accessory attachment mechanism 26 is a hook-and-loop fastener. The recess 22 is sized for accommodating the first 30 of the two pieces of the accessory attachment mechanism 26. A first face 34 of the first 30 of the two pieces of the accessory attachment mechanism 26 includes “hooks” and a first face 36 of the second 32 of the two pieces of the accessory attachment mechanism 26 includes “loops” of the hook-and-loop attachment fastener. A second face 40 of the first 30 of the two pieces, for example, is secured in the recess 22 of the helmet face 16 (see FIG. 2) of the accessory bar 10. A second face 42 of the second 32 of the two pieces, for example, is secured to the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12. It is contemplated that the second face 40 of the first 30 of the two pieces is secured in the recess 22 of the helmet face 16 (see FIG. 2) of the accessory bar 10 with glue, and that the second face 42 of the second 32 of the two pieces, for example, is secured to the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12 with glue. However, other ways are contemplated for attaching (securing) the first 30 of the two pieces in the recess 22 of the helmet face 16 (see FIG. 2) of the accessory bar 10 and for attaching (securing) the second 32 of the two pieces to the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12.

The first face 34 of the first piece 30, which includes the hooks, matingly attaches to the first face 36 of the second piece 32, which includes the loops. In this embodiment, since the accessory attachment mechanism 26 is a hook-and-loop fastener, it is also contemplated that the first face 34 of the first piece 30 is removably attached to the first face 36 of the second piece 32. Consequently, the accessory attachment mechanism 26 is removably attached to the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12 via the first face 34 of the first piece 30 and the first face 36 of the second piece 32.

The recess 22 is defined to have a depth so that the helmet face 16 of the accessory attachment mechanism 26 is substantially flush with the accessory bar 10 when the accessory attachment mechanism 26 is positioned in the recess 22. Since the recess 22 allows the accessory attachment mechanism 26 to be substantially flush with the helmet face 16 of the accessory bar 10, the recess 22 acts as a means for increasing contact between the surface of the helmet face 16 of the accessory bar 10 and both the exterior surface 20 of the helmet 12 and the accessory attachment mechanism 26. In addition, the recess 22 acts as a means for reducing gaps between the surface of the helmet face 16 of the accessory bar 10 and the accessory attachment mechanism 26.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding this embodiment of the present invention, like components are designated by like numerals with a primed (′) suffix and new components are designated by new numerals. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the first face 34′ of the first piece 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26′ includes a Dual Lock fastener, which may be manufactured by 3M, instead of the hooks illustrated in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that the first face 34′ of the first piece 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26′ is releasable secured to a corresponding first face of a second piece of a Dual Lock fastener. Although, for ease of illustration, the second piece of the Dual Lock fastener is not illustrated, it is to be understood the first face of the second piece of the Dual Lock fastener is similar to the first face 36 (see FIG. 4) of the second piece 32 (see FIG. 4), More specifically, the first face of the second piece of the Dual Lock fastener is similar to the first face 36 (see FIG. 4) of the second piece 32 (see FIG. 4) in the sense that it includes a surface that is releasably secured to the first face 34′ of the first piece 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26′. Furthermore, like the second face 42 (see FIG. 4) of the second piece 32 (see FIG. 4) of the of the accessory attachment mechanism 26 (see FIG. 4), the second face of the second piece of the Dual Lock fastener is secured to the exterior surface of the helmet.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, instead of the accessory attachment mechanism 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) including two pieces (e.g., parts), the accessory attachment mechanism 44 includes a first face 46 that is an adhesive surface (e.g., a foam adhesive surface) for adhering directly to the exterior surface of the helmet. A releasable strip 48 covers the first face 46 of the accessory attachment mechanism 44.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding this embodiment of the present invention, like components are designated by like numerals with a primed (″) suffix and new components are designated by new numerals. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, instead of the accessory attachment mechanism 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) including two pieces (e.g., parts), the accessory attachment mechanism 26″ is an adhesive that secures the helmet face 16″ of the accessory bar 10″ directly to the exterior surface 20″ of the helmet 12″. It is contemplated in one embodiment that the adhesive securing the helmet face 16″ of the accessory bar 10″ directly to the exterior surface 20″ of the helmet 12″ is a glue.

Different types of adhesive are also contemplated. For example, an extremely strong adhesive may be used to ensure the accessory bar 10″ is substantially not removable from the exterior surface 20″ of the helmet 12″. Other relatively less strong adhesives may allow the accessory bar 10″ to be removed from the exterior surface 20″ of the helmet 12″.

In any of the embodiments discussed above, it is contemplated that the accessory bar 10, 10″ includes a rail 50, 50″ for slidably receiving at least one accessory 52. For example, an accessory 52 such as a light that includes a rail connector 54, which matingly slides onto the rail 50, 50″ of the accessory bar 10, 10″. It is contemplated that such a rail 50, 50″ on the accessory bar 10, 10″ permits convenient attachment and removal of various accessories 52 from the accessory bar 10, 10″.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the helmet 12, 12″, accessory bar 10, 10″, and the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26″ are part of a system 60, 60″ for attaching the accessory 52 to the helmet 12, 12″.

With reference to FIG. 8, an exemplary methodology of the system shown in FIGS. 1-7 for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet is illustrated. As illustrated, the blocks represent functions, actions and/or events performed therein. It will be appreciated that the illustrated blocks describe sequences that may be performed in different sequences. It will also be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that elements embodied as software may be implemented using various programming approaches such as machine language, procedural, object-oriented or artificial intelligence techniques. It will further be appreciated that, if desired and appropriate, some or all of the software can be embodied as part of a device's operating system.

In a step 110, a method for attaching the accessory bar 10 to the helmet 12 includes applying the accessory attachment mechanism 26 to the helmet surface 16 of the accessory bar 10. In a step 112, the accessory bar 10 is secured to the helmet 12 via the accessory attachment mechanism 26.

In one embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 8, the step 110 of applying the accessory attachment mechanism 26 to the accessory bar 10 includes a step 114 of applying the second face 40 of the first piece 30, 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ in the recess 22. In a step 116, the second face 42 of the second piece 32 of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ is applied to the surface 20 of the helmet 12. In a step 120, the first face 34, 34′ of the first piece 30, 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ is applied (secured) to the first face 36 of the second piece 32 of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′. In one embodiment, the first face 34, 34′ of the first piece 30, 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ is removably secured to the first face 36 of the second piece 32 of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ in the step 120. As discussed above, it is contemplated that the second face 40 of the first piece 30, 30′ of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ is adhered in the recess 22 (see step 114) and that the second face 42 of the second piece 32 of the accessory attachment mechanism 26, 26′ is adhered to the surface 20 of the helmet 12 (see step 116) via an adhesive (e.g., glue).

In another embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, the step 110 of applying the accessory attachment mechanism 26″ to the accessory bar 10″ includes a step 130 of applying adhesive to at least one of the helmet face 16″ of the accessory bar 10″ and to the external surface 20″ of the helmet 12″. With reference to FIGS. 6-8, in a step 132, the helmet face 16″ of the accessory bar 10″ is directly applied to the external surface 20″ of the helmet 12″ so that the adhesive secures the accessory bar 10″ to the external surface 20″ of the helmet 12″.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the accessory 52 is attached to the accessory bar 10 in a step 140.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. 

I/we claim:
 1. An accessory bar for an associated helmet, the accessory bar comprising: a helmet face of the accessory bar contoured to mate with the associated helmet; an accessory attachment mechanism secured to a surface of the helmet face of the accessory bar, the accessory attachment mechanism being capable of matingly attaching to the associated helmet; and a first recess, defined in the helmet face of the accessory bar, sized for accommodating the accessory attachment mechanism.
 2. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the accessory attachment mechanism is removably attached to the associated helmet; the accessory attachment mechanism includes a first face of one of a hook and loop surface; the accessory attachment mechanism includes a first face of the other hook and loop surface; and the first face of the one of the hook and loop surface matingly attaches to the first face of the other of the hook and loop surface.
 3. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the accessory attachment mechanism includes a second face of the hook and loop surface secured to the accessory bar; and the accessory attachment mechanism includes a second face of the other hook and loop surface secured to the helmet face of the accessory bar.
 4. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 3, wherein: the second face of the hook and loop surface of the accessory attachment mechanism is adhered to the accessory bar with glue; and the second face of the other hook and loop surface of the accessory attachment mechanism is adhered to the helmet face of the accessory with glue.
 5. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the first recess is defined proximate to a perimeter of the helmet face of the accessory bar and has a depth so that the helmet face of the accessory attachment mechanism is substantially flush with the helmet face of the accessory bar when the accessory attachment mechanism is positioned in the first recess.
 6. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the first recess acts as a means for increasing contact between the surface of the helmet face of the accessory bar and the accessory attachment mechanism.
 7. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the first recess acts as a means for reducing gaps between the surface of the helmet face of the accessory bar and the accessory attachment mechanism.
 8. The accessory bar for an associated helmet as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the accessory attachment mechanism is glue.
 9. A system for attaching an accessory to a helmet, the system comprising: a helmet, including: an exterior surface; a bar capable of being secured to the exterior surface of the helmet, the bar including: a helmet face of the bar contoured to mate with the exterior surface of the helmet; and a recess, defined in the helmet face of the bar; and an accessory attachment mechanism, the recess capable of accommodating the accessory attachment mechanism.
 10. The system for attaching an accessory as set forth in claim 9, wherein the accessory attachment mechanism includes: a first part including: a first face; and a second face secured to a surface in the recess of the helmet face of the bar; and a second part, including: a first face capable of being matingly attached to the first face of the first part; and a second face secured to the exterior surface of the helmet.
 11. The system for attaching an accessory as set forth in claim 10, wherein: the first face of the first part is removably secured to the first face of the second part.
 12. The system for attaching an accessory as set forth in claim 10, wherein: the first face of the first part is one of a hook and loop fastener; and the first face of the second part is the other of the hook and loop fastener.
 13. The system for attaching an accessory as set forth in claim 9, wherein the bar further includes: an accessory face, the accessory being attached to the accessory face of the bar.
 14. The system for attaching an accessory as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the accessory face of the bar includes a rail, the accessory being releasably secured to the helmet via the rail.
 15. The system for attaching an accessory as set forth in claim 9, wherein: the recess is defined proximate to a perimeter of the helmet face of the bar, the accessory attachment mechanism being sized for the recess.
 16. A method for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet, the method comprising: applying an accessory attachment mechanism in a recess defined in a surface of a helmet face of the accessory bar, the recess being capable of accommodating the accessory attachment mechanism; and securing the accessory bar to the helmet via the accessory attachment mechanism, a first face of the accessory bar being contoured to match a shape of an exterior surface of the helmet.
 17. The method for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet as set forth in claim 16, the accessory attachment mechanism including two pieces, wherein: the applying step includes: applying a second face of the first piece of the accessory attachment mechanism in the recess; the method further including: applying a second face of the second piece of the accessory attachment mechanism to a surface of the helmet; and securing the first face of the first piece to the first face of the second piece.
 18. The method for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet as set forth in claim 17, wherein the securing step includes: removably securing the first face of the first piece to the first face of the second piece.
 19. The method for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet as set forth in claim 16, wherein: applying the second face of the first piece of the accessory attachment mechanism in the recess of the helmet includes: gluing the second face of the first piece of the accessory attachment mechanism in the recess of the helmet; applying the second face of the second piece of the accessory attachment mechanism to the surface of the accessory includes: gluing the first face of the second piece of the accessory attachment mechanism to the surface of the accessory.
 20. The method for attaching an accessory bar to a helmet as set forth in claim 16, further including: attaching an accessory to the accessory bar. 